14 of the Best Rail Journeys from Around the World

Roll through some of the world’s most astounding scenery on one of these immersive train voyages.

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Ready to ride the rails on your next vacation? Train travel can show you some of the world’s most gorgeous and off-the-beaten-path scenery, and it comes without the stress of driving in a foreign country or over difficult terrain. These 14 trips are some of the world’s best rail journeys.

France: Cote d’Azur, Marseille to Nice
France’s Mediterranean coastline is among the prettiest seashores on the planet, and you can take in a good portion of it by hopping a train from Marseille in the west to Nice in the east. On a journey that takes just under three hours, you’ll pass through Cannes, the super-glitzy home to one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals, and see why the Cote d’Azur has been a favorite resort destination for centuries of well-heeled global travelers.

Photo Credit: iStock

Scotland: The Jacobite, Fort William to Mallaig
For a taste of the beautiful Scottish Highlands with a splash of Harry Potter flair, the Jacobite steam train reigns supreme. Board in Fort William, the Highlands’ largest town, which lies in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. High tea is served as a vintage steam locomotive powers the 42-mile journey to the western fishing port of Mallaig, crossing over the striking Glenfinnan viaduct—which the Hogwarts Express crosses in the Harry Potter films—along the way.

Photo Credit: Getty

Wales: Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways
Discover the beauty of Wales via steam engine on this pair of rail lines, which take you through the beautiful region of Snowdonia in northwest Wales. The Ffestiniog is the world’s oldest narrow gauge railway; it travels 13.5 miles from the harbor in Porthmadog to the mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. The Welsh Highland Railway, meanwhile, runs 25 miles past the foot of Snowdon Mountain, through the stunning Aberglaslyn Pass and on to Porthmadog.

Photo Credit: iStock

India: Royal Rajasthan on Wheels
So you want to see India by rail, but you’re daunted by the possibility of crowds and chaos on the country’s public trains? This luxurious journey takes travelers on a worry-free ride through some of the most fantastic sights in the dazzling state of Rajasthan and beyond. The seven-night trips begin and end in Delhi and include stops at Jaipur, Rajasthan’s pink-hued capital; and Agra, home to the Taj Mahal. Choose a Bravura or Extraordinary Suite and enjoy the range of amenities and the massages at the onboard spa.

Photo Credit: Alamy

Switzerland: Glacier Express, Zermatt to St. Moritz
Journey from one of Switzerland’s most popular ski destinations, Zermatt, to its most elegant, St. Moritz, on this eight-hour ride, which scales the awesome heights of the Alps, crosses 291 bridges and goes through 91 tunnels along the way. You’ll catch views of the mighty Matterhorn and the breathtaking Ruinaulta (called “the Grand Canyon of Switzerland”) and scale the famed Oberalp Pass.

Photo Credit: eStock

Germany’s Rhine Valley: Mainz to Koblenz
The centuries-old castles and vineyards along Germany’s section of the Rhine make it great for river cruising, but the journey by rail is just as scenic—not to mention markedly faster. Board a train in the ancient city of Mainz for the hourlong ride, which shuffles along the river’s west bank past fantastic sights, like the island-bound Pfalzgrafenstein Castle. The route wraps up in Koblenz, where the Rhine meets the Moselle at the so-called German Corner.

Photo Credit: eStock

Peru: Cusco to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca
The mesmerizing ancient Incan city of Cusco serves as the starting point for two amazing Peruvian train journeys. The first, a thrilling four-hour run to the incomparable Machu Picchu, is served by three different trains, from budget to super-deluxe, that offer a variety of experiences and services. Heading the other direction from Cusco, the 10.5 hour journey through the Andes Mountains to the folklore capital of Puno on the shores of the famous Lake Titicaca happens via the luxurious Andean Explorer, where you’ll enjoy a gourmet lunch and take in the stunning views from an open-air observatory car.

Photo Credit: Alamy

U.S. & Canada: Rocky Mountaineer, Seattle to Banff
Ready to explore some of Canada’s most spectacular scenery? Do it in the most relaxing and luxurious way possible on the Coastal Passage route on board Rocky Mountaineer. Spend your days soaking in the dramatic views of Western Canada while being served in style in your custom-designed coach. Sit back and listen to stories about the area’s history and wildlife. You may even spot eagles, bears, moose, elk and mountain sheep through the glass-dome coach. Overnight in vibrant Vancouver and charming Kamloops en route, then end your journey in the mountain resort town of Banff.

Photo Credit: Courtesy Rocky Mountaineer

Norway: Oslo to Bergen
Few European train journeys can rival the spectacular mountain scenery of the Swiss Alps, but Norway offers something Switzerland’s lofty peaks don’t: fjords. The Bergen Railway takes you on a dramatic seven-hour ride from the country’s capital, Oslo, to the beautiful seaside city of Bergen. There’s plenty of incredible nature and scenery in between, including the Hardangervidda, one of Europe’s highest plateaus. For an extra special treat, get off at Myrdal and ride the famously steep Flåm Railway, which rises from sea level to an altitude of more than 2,800 feet in just an hour.

Photo Credit: iStock

Australia: The Indian Pacific, Sydney to Perth
Travel the entire Australian continent—from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean—on this epic four-day, three-night journey from Sydney to Perth, traversing more than 2,700 miles in the footsteps of the country’s legendary adventurers. Enjoy the comforts of your own private cabin and choose from several off-train excursions and short-stop options along the way. See the sophisticated city of Adelaide and the classic mining town of Broken Hill.

Photo Credit: Alamy

Australia: The Ghan Expedition, Darwin to Adelaide
See Australia from top to bottom on this epic four-day journey from Darwin to Adelaide. Covering 1,851 miles through Australia’s fiery red heart, the Ghan Expedition includes your own private cabin and several off-train excursions, like an outback experience in Katherine. Or kick things up a notch with excursion upgrades, like a helicopter flight over the dazzling Kakadu and Nitmiluk national parks.

Photo Credit: eStock

Alaska: Denali Star Train, Anchorage to Denali
Alaska’s majestic wilderness is on full display along the Denali Star Train route connecting Anchorage with the 6 million-acre Denali National Park. The breathtaking journey takes about eight hours, but many savor the experience and break up the trip by overnighting in quaint and quirky Talkeetna—in addition to the two nights or more that most spend in the glorious Denali National Park. Book a luxury dome car for exceptional views.

Photo Credit: eStock

South of France: Chemin de Fer de Provence, Nice to Digne
There aren’t many good reasons to leave the idyllic French Riviera, but this foray into the Provençal countryside is one of them. The three-hour-plus journey glides through the resort town of Nice and its suburbs then hugs rivers and mountainsides on its picturesque path to Digne-les-Bains. You’re free to hop off the train and explore the many little medieval villages along the way.

Photo Credit: Alamy

Switzerland: Bernina Express, Chur to Tirano
Winding through the dramatic Alps, the Bernina Express takes you on one of the planet’s most breathtaking travel experiences. The ride starts in Chur, Switzerland’s oldest town, and makes its way just across the Italian border to Tirano. Reaching heights of nearly 7,400 feet, the four-hour, 76-mile route passes through 55 tunnels and across nearly 200 bridges and viaducts; it features so many engineering marvels and epic landscapes that it’s been recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

Dan Allen is longtime contributor to numerous outlets around the world including TravelChannel.com, Westways, Yahoo Travel, The New York Post, Passport and Private Islands. He’s also the co-author of the Fodor’s Germany guide. A native of Michigan, he recently returned home to Los Angeles after a decade in New York and Berlin.

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